This website uses cookies. We use technologies, such as cookies, to customise content and advertising, to provide social media features and to analyse traffic to the site (including the use of ad blockers). By continuing to use our website you consent to our Privacy and Cookie Policy. Read more

Wario Ware: Smooth Moves Review

David Mccomb

1 Dec 2006 18:50Last updated: 9 Oct 2015 17:49

Release date8 Dec 2006

DeveloperNintendo

Irresistible and surreal addition to the Wii first wave.

★★★★★

Although the first wave of Wii games tend to stick with traditional genres such as sports and shooters, Wario Ware offers a flood of uniquely surreal challenges. Ever shaken angry flies off a gorillas banana? Or plucked nasal hair from a sleeping ladys nose, only to see fruit slide out of her nostril? And if youve ever blown armies of midgets over the edge of a cliff with a hand fan, your lifes clearly exciting enough without buying videogames.

Following the same template as its Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and GameCube brethren, Wario Ware assaults players with a relentless stream of kooky challenges, each lasting a little under 10 seconds but packed with more ideas, imagination and laughs than a dozen other console hits blended together.

In an ideal world, Smooth Moves would come bundled with the Wii as its a superb introduction to using the motion sensitive controls; many of the games use the controller in completely different ways, each of which is explained in graphic detail. And after a few hours using methods such as the umbrella (controller turned vertically), sketch artist (held like a pencil) and chauffer (clutched like a steering wheel), youll have all the skills necessary to tackle the other launch titles that demand super-human skills on the newfangled controller.

The unfathomable Japanese gags and pointless cut scenes that cant be skipped mar an otherwise superb game, but Smooth Moves should be a mandatory purchase for anyone lucky enough to secure a Wii this festive season.